Share Your Personal Testimony

Welcome to Our Space for sharing your personal testimony with our guests.  God can use your story to encourage others.  To add your testimony click on the comments button below.  We ask that you use this space for that purpose only, giving God the glory for what He has done.  May God bless each of you as you walk with Him. - Barb

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[Georgia]

TESTIMONY
by Paul Gerard Dooley
February 23,2001

On July 22, 2000, I married the woman of my dreams. I was on top of the world. Everything was going well for me; marriage, friendships, family relationships and job situations. I could have not asked for anything better.

Several months before Michelle and I married, I was having some minor sinus problems. I kept ignoring this problem because I was busy working and preparing for our wedding. Finally I saw a doctor who prescribed some medication and things cleared up a little bit. However, in a few weeks I was again having painful sinus infections. I pushed it off and Michelle and I enjoyed a lovely wedding and honeymoon. A few weeks later, the pain and sinus problems grew worse. I began to experience excruciating headaches, often unable to sleep at night. I saw a different sinus specialist figuring it was a complex sinus infection. The doctor felt as though some of my symptoms were unusual, so he ordered a cat scan and an MR!. It revealed a large mass the size of a plum in my left sinus cavity. I was in shock! A biopsy was scheduled almost immediately.

I was told it was cancer! Impossible! I was 25 1/2 years old, married six weeks, a recent football college gradate in excellent shape. I was 6'6", 285 Ibs. This couldn't be true. I was paralyzed with fear, shock and disbelief.

A few days later, we met with the hospital's head doctor. His demeanor was very serious and stated treatment would have to begin immediately and that it would be very aggressive. He stated that the cancer ate most of my left sinus cavity away and was pushing through my eye socket and skull into the area of the brain that controls short term memory. He looked Michelle and I in the eye and stated that they would try everything possible but that this could potentially be fatal. We found out later it was a stage IV tumor, the worse diagnosis one could get.

I could not believe that I might die, and possibly very soon. My soul was broken into a thousand pieces. I could not bear the thought of leaving the woman I loved so much, it just did not seem fair. I guess I went into a sort of denial as I would not talk about the tumor and would get upset when others did.

I was given large doses of morphine and percocet for head pain. I was receiving a radical program of daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. The combination of the aggressive treatment program and powerful drugs began to wear me down mentally. I became very suspicious of people, almost paranoid or schizophrenic. I thought my family, my friends, even the doctors were out to get me and that no one cared, not even my wife. I was sure God was against me, that He was punishing me for my sins. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation were helping diminish the pain. They were also taking their toll on my body. I experienced all the nasty side effects and lost an enormous amount of weight quickly. Every part of me felt tortured.

This trial definitely became a spiritual battle. As I became weak physically, I became weak spiritually as well. I was feeling a lot of condemnation and I thought it was surely the Lord rebuking me. All I kept thinking about was past and present sins, failures and mistakes. These thoughts kept on playing over and over again in my mind, I fell into despair, especially since I thought the Lord was against me. If I couldn't turn to God who would help me?

One evening, some men from my church came to pray for me. They did not know my emotional or mental state. One man said he was heavily burdened to share a Bible verse with me. He said "Paul, I'm not sure if this would mean anything to you, but the Lord laid a verse on my heart and I think He wants me to share it with you. 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus~ Romans 8:1". This caused such a overflow of joy and peace in my heart that I began to weep uncontrollably.

The Lord cared so much for me that He used this man to remind me that He is not condemning or punishing me. He is not against me. I really believe that before this evening, the enemy was bullying me with many negative, dark thoughts and lies. He knew how weak and vulnerable I was. >From that night on, Michelle and I would read scripture to encourage and remind us of His mercy and love.

Doctors were amazed when they saw the tumor shrinking in the first few weeks of treatment. Because the cancer was made up of several types of cancer, they weren't sure if the treatment would be effective and if I did respond, it would be months before they saw changes. Since the tumor was shrinking, the first thing the Lord healed were my headaches. This was a major concern and a powerful victory from God. The second big thing He saved was my vision as my optic nerve was radiated and I should have lost vision in my left eye. Praise the Lord!


I am so amazed at God. Not only of His power to heal but of His provisions. I had world renown doctors working on me; no brain damage; before being diagnosed I had switched health plans through work and without this new plan, I would not have had such excellent doctors working on me. It was a gift from the Lord. He displayed His love for us by also using the people around us. Volunteers from church cleaned our apartment, cooked meals, bought groceries. In addition, we received so many phone calls, emails and get well cards letting us know we were being prayed for and that we were loved. Many of the people we didn't know, but God used each one to inspire and encourage both Michelle and myself. My parents were living in Chicago when I was diagnosed and spent many months staying here to help take care of me. My sisters live out of state also and came and called frequently. My one sister is pregnant and I worried about her. It seems all my family live far away but they were very supportive in words and actions. Friends of mine from college threw a benefit dinner to help raise money. When I watched the video and saw so many friends from high school and college, I was overwhelmed. Financial gifts were coming from strangers, family, friends, churches. Many of these people we knew did not have much money to spare. Their sacrificial act of love touched us deeply. Most people go through life never experiencing the love and care we did.

What a lovely gift God has given me in my wife, Michelle. I don't think I would have made it this far without her love, her prayers, her encouragement, and her daily caring for my needs.

I have always feared God and respected Him ever since I got saved in college. I pictured Him more as a judge or drill sergeant than a loving father. I assumed that He was always displeased with me and that the sight of me would just remind Him of my many sins and mistakes. This trial has broken all those false beliefs. I still fear Him as I should, but I also see Him as a very kind, patient, forgiving and loving Father. I was so weak and so broken and I saw how delicately He cared for and provided for my every need. I would pray at times for healing and other times for death because I was so miserable. On those long nights, I could feel His peace and comfort. Sometimes I had no strength to pray and all I could say was "Jesus" and I would feel His love encompassing all of me.

The doctors say there are still small spots and it's wait and see time. As I am slowly regaining strength each day, I feel Jesus gently and sweetly encouraging my soul. He gives me the rest when I am weary or heavy burdened. He encourages me when I am broken hearted about my situation.

I have learned and experienced the mighty and merciful love of Jesus Christ. It started in college when He saved my soul from hell. All I had to do was humble myself and ask Jesus to forgive me of all sins and to come into my heart and life and take control. He has been with me ever since.

I can never doubt His love for me after this season of my life. I do not know what the future holds, but I know He is in control of it. If I live the next five years and no cancer returns, I have a good chance of living a normal, healthy, long life. The fact that I still have a tumor, even though small, keeps me constantly praying to the Lord. This cancer, has become the thorn in my flesh, causing me to depend on God everyday of my life. I still don't know how long I will live. I learned that I must number my days and use them wisely. I need to pray for and share the gospel with family and friends so their souls may be saved as well, that they would experience the love of God. I need to enjoy the time I have with my wife and care for her in every way, for there is a chance she may not have me anymore.

I pray for continued healing but realize God is God. He has the right to do whatever He wants. I know He loves me and that whatever He decides comes out of His great love and care for me, and it will be for my own good. I need to keep on praying for healing and a long life, but also realize that He may take my life soon. If I die I know He chose that out of His love for me. If I live I also know He chose that out of His love for me. God loves me and I rest in that. He loved me so much that Jesus died for me. Who can measure the depth of God's love for us? I know that whatever the future holds, God is for me, not against me. Also, I will experience His love either on earth or in heaven; for I have learned firsthand that nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus Christ.

......... MARCH 23, 2002, AT THE AGE OF 27, PAUL WENT HOME TO BE WITH THE JESUS HE LOVED AND SERVED ........

''For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home'. Jeremiah 29:11-14

[Pamela]

Thank you for sharing this story. The last sixteen months I have been treated for severe depression and anxiety disorder. I have repeatedly battled suicidal thoughts and cutting. I have been saved since I was 5 (I will be 40 in August.) Many of these scriptures are the very ones that have gotten me through to this point. God is good.

[Sharon]

Thank you for this testimony. I have been praying daily for my teenage son who carries a tremendous amount of anger. This made me realize that this is just a thorn in my flesh (and not God ignoring my prayers) and I shall keep praying that my son will re-commit himself to Jesus and be the Christian man God has destined for him. He accepted the Lord when he was just more than a toddler, but has lost his path. Pray for him if you can. Thank you.

[Sharon Knopic]

Please know that each time I realize I'm falling away, I remember the passage that tells us that God has chosen us, and we are His. We may fall away from Christ, but He is always there for us. Even when we don't want Him, and rebuke Him, once you have become a Christian, you really don't ever not become one, you just become weaker and stronger. We need to pray for more stronger days.

[Laura O'Connell]

Last summer God led me to ask for a CAT scan and they found I had stage 4 bladder cancer. I was prepared to die and see Jesus. After a 9 1/2 hour surgery, and a long recovery I knew it would have been easier to die, but it was not my time. Then I was blessed to attend CKU in Anaheim in June with my sister-in-law. We weren't able to attend the Anna Griffin class, but I commented that I was sad because I couldn't find enough of the Anna Griffin products, and the designer led me to Oak Leaf Acre. When I found it, I was blessed again to talk with Barb and again when I found her blog and learned she was a Christian and then blessed again to tell my story. I am truly blessed and give God all the glory for my healing.

[georgia dooley]

Through this internet site, it is very refreshing to read & see how God is answering prayer. We have an Awesome God. My prayer for each reader & their family, is to know Christ in a personal way & to allow Him to be the center of your life. Thank you Barb & Oakleaf Acres for this outreach.

[Kieren]

Hello Barb

When i found your website i just felt in my spirit that this was a Christian based business and went to your blog and here i am ,
I live in Cornwall ENGLAND , and have recently discovered Anna Griffin, wow so lovely ,and just my kinda thing ,she was on QVC, last night and she too has a lovely spirit i enjoyed her demos and this evening i have been ,,surfing i dont even know how i got here ,,,well i do .... its my Jesus ...rerouted me here
I am married to Alan and a Mum to Naomi and Benjamin 31..29 and my eldest Chris went to be with the LORD 14 years ago [a car crash ] 9 months after he came back to the LORD,,,an amazing time as well as sad,
Have you heard the healings /revival going on in Florida ..Todd Bentleys Fresh Fire Ministries on God Tv Too ..
i could say so much .... i am truly glad to have found you and i expect i will be ordering soon if you mail to UK ?

Blessings to you and yours Kieren